Infection prompts numerous East Marion students to go home or stay home

Published: Friday, October 4, 2013 at 1:04 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, October 4, 2013 at 4:29 p.m.

FOREST CORNERS — Some 280 East Marion Elementary School students were out of school or sent home on Friday, a day after what officials suspect was an outbreak of some type of “enteric” infection.

An enteric infection is usually spread by contact and not through the air. Local health officials said they are commonly spread when people do not wash their hands after going to the bathroom.

One example of an enteric infection is the norovirus, which is known mostly for its outbreaks on cruise ships. Health officials have not identified which of the many enteric infections it is.

Enteric infections can spread quickly via contaminated food or water, or by people touching contaminated surfaces.

“I don’t recall so many people getting sick in so short a time span in my 12-plus years with the district,” school district spokesman Kevin Christian said.

He said a team of custodians wiped down every surface inside the school late Thursday. The district also used special fogger-type decontamination devices in areas of the school to combat the virus.

“We had some staff members out on Friday,” Christian said. “But we did have enough people at the school to cover the classrooms.”

The Florida Department of Health in Marion County, formerly known as the Marion County Health Department, was called to the school to investigate. Officials identified the possible culprit as one of many known enteric infections, said Craig Ackerman, Marion health department spokesman.

“Enteric infections enter the body through the mouth and intestinal tract and are usually spread through contaminated food and water or by contact with vomit or feces,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

On Thursday, 115 East Marion students were out sick and another 34 went home early. That prompted Principal Rusty Corley to send an automated message to parents “encouraging students to stay home if sick due to the contagiousness of the situation,” Christian said.

On Friday 230 students were absent, as were three teachers and three paraprofessionals. An additional 50 students went home early due to sickness.

East Marion’s enrollment is 707.

The virus spreads rapidly and dies out within 48-72 hours, Christian said. He said the team of custodians was scheduled to give the school another thorough cleaning on Friday.

Christian said Monday should be business as usual.

Christian said, “Those on campus are putting extra emphasis on the standard practice of washing hands often, covering mouth with elbow when coughing, and using hand sanitizer regularly.”

Ackerman urged parents not to send a sick child to school until “24 hours after the symptoms have gone away.” He said sick parents should abide by the same policy before going back to work.

<p>FOREST CORNERS — Some 280 East Marion Elementary School students were out of school or sent home on Friday, a day after what officials suspect was an outbreak of some type of “enteric” infection.</p><p>An enteric infection is usually spread by contact and not through the air. Local health officials said they are commonly spread when people do not wash their hands after going to the bathroom.</p><p>One example of an enteric infection is the norovirus, which is known mostly for its outbreaks on cruise ships. Health officials have not identified which of the many enteric infections it is.</p><p>Enteric infections can spread quickly via contaminated food or water, or by people touching contaminated surfaces.</p><p>“I don't recall so many people getting sick in so short a time span in my 12-plus years with the district,” school district spokesman Kevin Christian said.</p><p>He said a team of custodians wiped down every surface inside the school late Thursday. The district also used special fogger-type decontamination devices in areas of the school to combat the virus.</p><p>“We had some staff members out on Friday,” Christian said. “But we did have enough people at the school to cover the classrooms.”</p><p>The Florida Department of Health in Marion County, formerly known as the Marion County Health Department, was called to the school to investigate. Officials identified the possible culprit as one of many known enteric infections, said Craig Ackerman, Marion health department spokesman.</p><p>“Enteric infections enter the body through the mouth and intestinal tract and are usually spread through contaminated food and water or by contact with vomit or feces,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.</p><p>On Thursday, 115 East Marion students were out sick and another 34 went home early. That prompted Principal Rusty Corley to send an automated message to parents “encouraging students to stay home if sick due to the contagiousness of the situation,” Christian said.</p><p>On Friday 230 students were absent, as were three teachers and three paraprofessionals. An additional 50 students went home early due to sickness.</p><p>East Marion's enrollment is 707.</p><p>The virus spreads rapidly and dies out within 48-72 hours, Christian said. He said the team of custodians was scheduled to give the school another thorough cleaning on Friday.</p><p>Christian said Monday should be business as usual.</p><p>Christian said, “Those on campus are putting extra emphasis on the standard practice of washing hands often, covering mouth with elbow when coughing, and using hand sanitizer regularly.”</p><p>Ackerman urged parents not to send a sick child to school until “24 hours after the symptoms have gone away.” He said sick parents should abide by the same policy before going back to work.</p>